By NICKI WALKER WHEN animal-lover Julie Hutton spotted the puppy-eyes of Loopy Lou on a website with an appeal to find the dog a new home, she knew she couldn t resist. And when she realised the cute Border collie puppy had been passed from pillar to pos

By NICKI WALKER

WHEN animal-lover Julie Hutton spotted the puppy-eyes of Loopy Lou on a website with an appeal to find the dog a new home, she knew she couldn't resist.

And when she realised the cute Border collie puppy had been passed from pillar to post in its short life and that the dog was also deaf, she decided there was nothing for it - she would have to take her in.

Now months later the pair are defying the odds and little Loopy Lou is proving she is a complete success in agility tests - despite her disability.

She has already achieved awards with the Kennel Club for its obedience classes for pet dogs and also training towards her Good Citizens award.

Mrs Hutton hopes to begin competition in agility shows with her in October.

Little Loopy Lou, who has been named the Wisbech Standard and Cambs Times Pet of the Year, came from the Hope Rescue centre in North Wales.

Mrs Hutton, who runs Pampered Pooches grooming parlour in Leverington, spotted her on a website and despite already having five dogs.

She said: "We got her last July and when I saw her on the website I knew we had to help her.

"She had three homes and was only eight weeks old and I just wanted to help her."

She added: "Just because a dog is deaf it doesn't mean they can't be just as clever and a make a wonderful family pet.

"Sadly many deaf dogs get put to sleep through no fault of their own, other than being born with this - disability."

Mrs Hutton trains Loopy Lou at TisH agility in March and with trainer Geoff Tabbit and also Barking Mad Agility in Raunds with trainer Nikki Keeler and also with Paws Obedience in King's Lynn with Vicki Blackshaw.